'There is great care and knowledge of his art in every note he plays.' - Thomas Erdmann, JazzReview.com Peter Sommer, saxophonist and composer, is in demand as a performer, clinician and recording artist throughout the state of Colorado and across the nation. Since establishing himself among the Denver area's elite jazz musicians, Peter has contributed his muscular tenor playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to avant garde and beyond. Prior to 'Tremolo Canteen' on Dazzle Recordings, Peter has released two albums as a leader - Sioux County (2006) on Tapestry Records, featuring his original compositions in duo with jazz piano legend Art lande, and Crossroads (2008) on Capri Records, featuring a two-tenor frontline with the great NYC saxophonist Rich Perry. From a May 2009 Saxophone Journal review of Crossroads, '(Sommer) is the possessor of a dark, gritty sound, clean, fast technique, melodic ideas and a true understanding of the post-bebop style. In addition, he is fearless, thus the inclusion of one of the most original voices of the tenor saxophone in jazz as a guest artist, Rich Perry.. .. Together the two tenor players compliment each other perfectly.. .. After hearing this CD, the name Peter Sommer will certainly jump out at you in a big way; this guy delivers.' Peter is also featured on 'Terra Firma' (Synergy Music) by the Ken Walker Sextet, 'Unfailing Kindness' (Capri Records) by Chie Imaizumi, and the debut release from Ninth and Lincoln (Dazzle Records). He is also a soloist on the Colorado Symphony Orchestra's recording of 'Too Hot to Handel' with Marin Alsop conducting. Peter is a regular member of the Ken Walker Sextet, Ninth and Lincoln (modern big band under the direction of Tyler Gilmore), the Wil Swindler Elevenet, the Fred Hess Big Band, the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, the New Third Stream Saxophone Quartet and is an honorary member of the Russian Dragon Band. He also performs often as a soloist, in duo with Art Lande, and as a leader of his own quartet. Peter has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and has appeared at many jazz festivals throughout the state including the Telluride Jazz Celebration, Jazz in the Sangres and the Vail Jazz Festival. Peter has been a featured jazz soloist at North American Saxophone Alliance Regional and Biennial Conferences and has also performed at IAJE International Conferences in Anaheim and Toronto, Canada, and has performed at World Saxophone Congresses in Valencia, Spain and Bangkok, Thailand. Peter has performed in concert with Greg Gisbert, Ron Miles, Brad Goode, Bobby Shew, John McNeil, Clay Jenkins, Cuong Vu, Bobby Watson, Dave Pietro, Don Aliquo, Gary Smulyan, Paul McKee, Nguyen Le, Dale Bruning, Jim McNeely, Joanne Brackeen, Chip Stephens, John Riley, Matt Wilson, Roseanna Vitro and Ernie Andrews. He has also played for Tony Bennett and John Pizzarelli with the Colorado Symphony. Peter Sommer is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and Saxophone at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. At CSU, Mr. Sommer directs Jazz Ensemble I and the CSU Jazz Combo program, in addition to teaching courses in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Pedagogy.